Police arrest man who said he planned to rob a bank

COLUMBIA — A man was arrested Thursday as he was leaving Merchants and Farmers bank.

Andrew Smith, 37, matched the description of a man who was seen acting suspiciously in other banks, according to a news release from the Columbia Police Department. Smith had an active warrant for driving without a license and was taken into custody.

After he was arrested, Smith told police he was planning to rob a bank, according to the news release. He also had a note stating his intentions.

Around 10:17 a.m. Thursday, Boone County National Bank employees noticed a man acting suspiciously and called Columbia Police, according to the release. The description the bank employees provided was similar to a report police received the day before from Landmark Bank.

While responding to the first call, officers received a second call from Commerce Bank about a man who was acting suspiciously. The description of that man matched the one made by Boone County National bank employees.

On their way to Commerce Bank, officers spotted a suspicious van behind Merchants and Farmers Bank. Officers then surrounded the bank and arrested Smith as he was leaving the lot in his van.

Smith was not carrying a weapon, Sergeant Jill Schlude said in an email.